"Community" fans aren't the only ones hurting over the loss of Dan Harmon as the NBC sitcom's showrunner - the cast of the fan favorite series is as well.

On Friday it was announced that writers David Guarascio and Moses Port have been tapped to take over Harmon's series, and the "Community" creator himself confirmed on his Tumblr that he'd been replaced.

According to reports, NBC has given the showrunner a major demotion, relegating the outspoken creative exec to “consulting producer.”

But Harmon calls the new title just a "standard protective clause" for “someone in his position,” saying that "Guys like me can’t actually just be shot and left in a ditch by Skynet. We’re still allowed to have a title on the things we create and 'help out,' like, I guess sharpening pencils and stuff," he wrote about the series, which was just renewed for a fourth season.

Just days before the ax reportedly fell, NBC Entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt indicated Harmon's days in his previous role were numbered: “I expect Dan’s voice to be a part of this show somehow; I’m just not sure if that means him running it day-to-day or consulting on it," he said during a May 13 conference call with reporters.

Harmon said he didn't see this move coming.

"They literally haven’t called me since the season four pickup, so their reasons for replacing me are clearly none of my business," he said. "'Community' is their property; I only own 10 percent of it, and I kind of don’t want to hear what their complaints are because I’m sure it would hurt my feelings even more now that I’d be listening for free."

For their part, several of the show’s stars have expressed their support for Harmon.

“@danharmon you are a true genius,” star Joel McHale tweeted, adding, “You gave me the role of a lifetime & three of the best years of my life. Buying #Prototype2 today.”

Yvette Nicole Brown found it frustrating to be limited to just 140 characters, writing, "So many thoughts. So little room. I guess, ‘I heart you’ and ‘Thank you to INFINITY’ will have to do for now. #Community #Love." Added Alison Brie, "I'm in creative debt to @danharmon who let us ride the coattails of his integrity, pushing boundaries & making f'ing awesome tv. Thanks Dan."

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Harmon had to go. Regardless of how Chevy Chase acted while in production, Harmon showed poor leadership in the way he handled the issue. From what has been disclosed to the public he first poorly handled the issue by insulting Chase in front of his family and coworkers at the show's wrap party (massive leadership no no). This prompted the Chase voicemail rant to Harmon's phone. Harmon again poorly handled the situation and inflamed it more by making the voicemail public (beyond description leadership no no). As a military man who studied many cases in leadership failures I can safely bet this is only the tip of the iceberg that caused the netowrk to lose confidence in his ability to lead this show. As a fan of Community I hope this move does not hurt the show, but in the end I can only blame Harmon for forcing the network to do it.

This show is the best comedy on TV by far. I'm so glad it got renewed for another season and I hope the "new" writers can continue the momentum Harmon established through the first three seasons. SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE! Edison out.